Press Release

(Hong   Kong, 20 January 2025) The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (Academy/HKAGE) held its Biennial Gifted Education Conference 2025 (Conference) on 18 January at Diocesan Girls' School, with the theme of Creative Productivity. The event was officiated by the Guest of Honour, Dr SZE Chun Fai Jeff, JP, the Under Secretary for Education.

Dr SZE acknowledged that new quality productive forces are the important elements in driving social development, “Under the national strategy of invigorating the country through science and education, talent is an essential element in promoting new quality productive forces. In promoting STEAM education, the Education Bureau will further encourage schools to utilize school-based talent pools to identify and nurture students with potential, enabling their participation in local, regional, and international competitions and training.”

Ir Prof LAM Hiu Fung Alan, JP, Chairperson of the HKAGE, said that “The HKAGE is dedicated to promoting gifted education and nurturing outstanding talent, connecting global experiences. Over the past decade, we have endeavoured to attract diverse talents in Hong Kong and collaborated with local universities and top research institutes, providing our gifted students with various opportunities for learning and exchange. We offer a diverse and multifaceted platform, aligning with the national '14^th Five-Year Plan' to cultivate talent for Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre.”

Dr WONG Kam Yiu Jimmy, Executive Director of the HKAGE said that “The HKAGE provides a diverse platform to support the top 2% gifted students in Hong Kong and collaborates closely with schools, teachers, and parents to promote the whole person development of students, working together to identify and nurture top talent while striving to advance the vision and values of the Academy.”

Observation and Questioning: Essence of Creativity

The conference invited Prof Janchai YINGPRAYOON, an expert in laser physics and a former advisor to UNESCO who is dedicated to promoting creative teaching, as the keynote speaker. He, along with several prominent figures in the Hong Kong education sector, revealed tips for nurturing students' creativity.

Prof YINGPRAYOON, Adjunct Professor of both Guilin University of Aerospace Technology and Guangxi Normal University shared his insights in the Conference that “The most important (thing) for the development of creativity is observation. You observe something and you ask questions: who, what, when, why, when, to find out the knowledge”. He also provided a number of vivid and interesting examples to illustrate that the characteristics of creative people include observation, curiosity and sense of humour.”

Home-school Collaboration to Nurture Gifted Children

A panel discussion at the Conference, titled Collective Efforts in Nurturing Gifted Children, featured three local renowned educators: Mrs Maria LAM, MH, JP, the experienced former school principal; Mr Ryan CHEUNG, Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council Committee on Gifted Education cum Chairperson of Division of Educational Psychology of the Hong Kong Psychological Society; and Mrs Stella LAU, SBS, JP, Headmistress of Diocesan Girls' School. They shared insights on nurturing gifted children with the audience.

In addition to the aforementioned sharing talks, the Conference also held parallel panel discussion sessions for teachers and parents on the perspectives on nurturing gifted students, and for students on their gifted peers and alumni’s growth and learning experiences.

Diverse Talents of Gifted Students Showcased 

There were also exhibitions and booths on-site to showcase HKAGE student members' achievements. Furthermore, a group of gifted students who completed a drama course earlier at the HKAGE staged a play titled Worst Comes to Burst. Other gifted students and alumni also showcased their musical talents with a guzheng duet and a piano solo, demonstrating the versatility of gifted students.

Dr SZE Chun Fai Jeff, JP, the Under Secretary for Education, poses for a group photo with Prof Janchai YINGPRAYOON, other speakers, and the HKAGE’s Senior Management Team	Dr SZE Chun Fai Jeff, JP, the Under Secretary for Education, delivers the opening remarks as the guest of honour
Dr SZE Chun Fai Jeff, JP, the Under Secretary for Education, visits the HKAGE Student Programmes Exhibition, escorted by HKAGE’s management	Dr SZE Chun Fai Jeff, JP, the Under Secretary for Education, engages with gifted students during his visit to the HKAGE student programme exhibition booths
Ir Prof. LAM Hiu Fung Alan, JP, Chairperson of the HKAGE, delivers the welcome speech	Dr WONG Kam Yiu Jimmy, Executive Director of the HKAGE, shares the Academy’s philosophies on talent development
Prof. Janchai YINGPRAYOON, an expert in laser physics and the keynote speaker of the Conference	He vividly and interestingly showcases the characteristics and merits of creative teaching
Three well-known local educationists, namely Mrs Maria LAM, MH, JP, experienced former school principal; Mr Ryan CHEUNG, Chairperson of the Committee on Gifted Education, Curriculum Development Council; and Mrs Stella LAU, SBS, JP, Headmistress, Diocesan Girls' School, share their professional insights during the panel discussion titled “Collective Efforts in Nurturing Gifted Children”	During the teachers session in the afternooon, Mr WONG Lik Hak, Principal of SKH Bishop Baker Secondary School; Dr KAO Ping Suen, Principal of STFA Wu Siu Kui Memorial Primary School; Mr Peter SHUM, Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries; and Ms Naomi CHUNG, Head of Xiqu, Performing Arts, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, discuss how to nurture the diverse potential of gifted children
Three parents of gifted students, namely Ms Judy LAM, Mrs Sophia NILSSON, and Mr Tony TANG, share their parenting experience and tips during the parents session	Alumni Ariel YAU and CHUNG Hei To, together with student member Lester CHONG, share their learning journey and valuable experience at the HKAGE
Gifted student HA King Yeung performs a piano solo	Alumni LUK Wing Yu and student member LEUNG Hei Ching perform a guzheng duet, demonstrating the versatility of gifted students
A group of gifted students who have completed a drama course perform a stage play titled “Worst Comes to Burst”
	The HKAGE Student Programmes Exhibition at the venue showcasing the students' learning achievement